Gov. Doug Ducey issued another statewide executive order Monday to partially close businesses throughout the state in hopes of mitigating the exponential spike in confirmed cases the state has endured in recent weeks.
Closures impact bars, gyms and theaters.
The new order is different from the one that expired in May. This order is much more relaxed than the previous order regarding the coronavirus, which ordered the closure of all bars, fitness and health clubs and theaters for one month – until July 27 – to try to slow the spread of COVID-19.
“It would be irresponsible for me to make decisions to reopen with a chance that I would have to come back because we didn’t have the proper guidance or data and ask people to do this again,” Ducey said.
The state of Arizona has seen confirmed cases spike in recent weeks. The same day the executive order was issued, the state had over 74,000 confirmed cases and over 1,500 deaths due to the coronavirus. There have been more than 3,000 cases reported within the five days in the last week, which have grown the total number of cases to more than 87,000 as of today.
Healthcare systems throughout the state have started struggling with maintaining available capacity to ensure that infected individuals receive the proper care. According to Ducey, another part of his reasoning behind the new executive order is to also allow for hospitals to regain capacity.
The order comes on the heel of a weekend in which the city of Phoenix saw bars and clubs operating at full capacity, with seemingly little regard for state and CDC guidelines.
“I think we saw the photos and videos of some of the things that were happening around our state this weekend, and the result of that has been an increase in the spread,” Ducey said. “With this targeted approach, we know that we can pump the brakes.”
Several businesses, including some gyms and bars are already planning on defying the governor’s order. The fitness club chain Mountainside Fitness plans to ignore the state’s orders and remain open for business. In a response to the new order, the fitness chain CEO Tom Hatten announced that he and his company plan to sue Ducey and the state of Arizona over the executive order.
Hatten also said certain businesses shouldn’t be forced to close while others get to stay open.
“We can’t run around as a society … and start to legislate everyone’s choices. If it is this serious, everybody shut down,” he said.
The Arizona Department Liquor Licenses and Control will also stop issuing licenses as a means to uphold and enforce the new ordinance, according to Ducey. The governor also said local governments will be able approve or deny certain gatherings and the implementation of social distancing and safety precautions during events.
The order expires July 27, but is subject to change depending on the number of cases and hospital capacity at the end of the month.
Ducey said he would do “whatever is necessary to protect the lives and livelihoods of Arizonans” moving forward.
Contact the reporter at iyakin@asu.edu.
